The X-Project

Via video conferencing, evidence presented by the Red Rook is laid out against the Blue Queen and the Black King, showing that they are attempting a plot against the Blue King, which leads to the decision of conducting a formal review.


Meetings between the Royal Chapters were rare, in part due to the geographical
distance and difficulties in arranging them, but also due to the relative autonomy that
more of the regions preferred to operate in. Only the Lord Imperial could call for a full
meeting in public, and years or even a decade could pass by without such an order.
However, the Blue King of the London Royal Chapter had called forward a meeting of
the Lords Cardinals under one of the few clauses that bound them as a single entity;
tampering by a Lord Cardinal in the politics of another Royal Chapter.

In the past, whole regions had been manipulated or bullied into weak courts dominated
by a single Lord Cardinal. Dissension and politicking nearly tore the club to pieces and
threatened their oath to secrecy. The then Lord Imperial had made a ruling that the
Courts of each region remained out of bounds from the influence of other Chapters.
Any Lord Cardinal found trying to influence the election of a court from a region outside
of their own faced the possibility of the loss of rank if caught. It had taken fifty years
and the fall of no less than six Lords Cardinals, but the club had stabilized their internal
struggles, and the rules had been stretched often, but rarely broken.

The video conference had been arranged to show both the Black and White Court at
separate tables for the meeting; a setup mirrored by the other regions. To one side
of Emma, Doug sat ready to take notes for his Queen, and at the other table, Jason
Wyngarde performed the same duty at the elbow of Sebastian Shaw. Belladonna
Beaudroux-LeBeau was beside him in her first meeting as the Black Queen and Lord
Cardinal, and the beautiful woman looked insufferably pleased with herself.

Finally, a window popped up revealing an older Indian man, who leaned back in his
chair before speaking. “My name is Kesah Sinha. I am a Grey Clerk in the employ
of the Lord Imperial. The Lord Imperial has reviewed the claim submitted by Quentin
Templeton, Blue King and Lord Cardinal from the London Royal Chapter regarding a
possible breach of club statues related to non-interference in the political process of the
courts in another region. Mister Templeton, I have been instructed to inform by the Lord
Imperial that such claims are serious and should this matter prove to be specious, the
Lord Imperial will consider you personally responsible.”

"Have no fear, good sir," Templeton bellowed, louder than was probably necessary for
the purposes of the videoconferencing equipment to pick up his voice, "For I assure you
that the evidence speaks for itself."

“Mister Templeton, please present your evidence.”

"Very well then." Clearing his throat, Templeton smirked before he continued. "We
have found evidence that proves beyond the shadow of a doubt the existence of
a secret agreement between the Blue Queen and the Black King. This dastardly
agreement would have myself, the Blue King, replaced by a mere puppet, who would
then do the bidding of its treacherous puppet masters." He paused to scowl and shake
his head at the very notion of such a thing happening. "Of course this is wholly and
completely against our laws. Such audacity, such deceit, it... it boggles the mind how
unprecedented and outlandish this plot is. They must be made to answer for their
crimes IMMEDIATELY!" Templeton pounded on his desk to emphasize his point, his
face reddening as he spoke.

If Emma had been younger, more stupid and less controlled, she would have laughed
outright in his face at such a preposterous suggestion. As it was, she knew that no
matter how inept Templeton might be, puffing and preening like a schoolboy, dismissing
him outright could be very dangerous indeed.

"My dear Quentin," she asked quietly--patiently--"Why in heavens name would I do such
a thing? Any King elevated to power by Sebastian would certainly harbor loyalties to
him. What benefit would I gain by giving him power over the Blue Court?"

On the other side of the room, Shaw had slowly risen to his feet during Templeton's
diatribe but had waited for Emma to finish speaking, more in an attempt to shove down
the sudden rush of anger than in a show of politeness. "I have had the dubious honor
of having many an accusation laid upon my feet, Templeton," he said, almost keeping
to Emma's quiet tones, "but I have to say that this is one of the most ridiculous I have
ever heard. We in the Court deal with audacity and deceit every day - not outright
stupidity!"

"Now that the protests of innocence are out of the way, if we can please see the
evidence?" Kesah said mildly. The Grey Clerks power was derived from the Lord
Imperial, and even a Lord Cardinal couldn't intimidate or threaten them. It was the
closest thing that the Hellfire Clubs had to a policing authority, and their reputation was
that they were very good at it. "According to the report, the initial claim was made by the
Red Court's Rook, I believe?"

"That is correct, Mister Sinha." Jane Hampshire rose smoothly, her features composed
and calm. She had grown up in this environment, and was as comfortable amidst the
swirling conspiracies and power plays as she was in a warm bath. "An agent whom
I've worked with on other matters brought my attention to several small movements
that were possibly in the scope of what we know of the Blue Queen's financial profile."
She was matter of fact about spying on the Blue Court. To claim otherwise would
have been impossible to believe. "The movements were minor, easily forgettable, but
provided an alignment with assets that we know for a fact to be under the Black King's
control. I ordered further investigation, and we have discovered what we feel is an allied
structure between both parties. Furthermore, at least one of those assets has been at
work undermining a company under the control of the Blue King. I understand that the
evidence is largely circumstantial but I feel there is probable cause for a more offical
investigation."

"Thank you, Ms Hampshire. Sir Alan, your Rook brought the evidence to you and you
brought the issue up for this formal discussion. Are you satisfied that the evidence
warrants further review?"

"Hm?" Sir Alan Wilson glanced quickly up from where he'd been examining the
contents of his port glass, rocking it gently in his hand and watching the thick, dark
liquid roll gracefully around its interior. Lips pursed, making his weak chin appear more
receded still, he raised a single eyebrow that spoke of a studied, fashionable brand of
ennui the heights to which only someone with his particular pedigree could aspire. "I
suppose so," he murmured - or at least, his mouth barely moved, and yet his rich and
ever unexpected basso profundo resounded strongly, easily reaching every ear that
listened. "Review away," he added, raising his hand for an almost dismissive wave.

"Very well. Considering that these charges have been advanced by the Lords Cardinal,
Emma Steed, we must ask that you grant access to your files for my office." Sinha said,
with the full weight of the Lord Imperial behind him.

Emma seemed flabbergasted by the idea. "I have never in all my years suffered such
a humiliation." Shaking her head, she made it a point to make eye contact with each of
her accusers. "You accuse me of such crass greed, and absolute stupidity that I have
no choice but to open my records to you in order to prove my innocence. Take what you
will, but mark my words you will not find any evidence of wrongdoing."

"Oh, yes, marked indeed." Templeton sneered. "Rest assured, once the nature of the
evidence comes to light - and it will, fear not - I'm quite sure Mister Sinha and the rest
of us shall not be forgetting any of your words, nor your actions." Pleased with the
proceedings, Templeton nodded to the Grey Clerk. "Thank you, Mister Sinha."

“A point of interest.” Emma Frost’s cool voice cut through the video
connection. “Templeton, does your accusation against the Black King extend to any
other members of his Court?” She shrugged slightly. “The fallout from the loss of a King
is one thing; it’s rather more tedious to pick up after the fall of a Court.”

One could almost hear the sound of Shaw's clenched jaw grinding against itself but he
didn't argue the point. He took a minute to calm himself as he reached up and carefully
smoothed down his tie. "My records will stand open as well," he said carefully, "though
I expect to be compensated once this witch hunt has been concluded." He locked his
gaze on Templeton. "False accusations can prove costly."

If nothing else, Emma Steed was going to bring Templeton down just for forcing her to
ally herself with Sebastian Shaw. "Sebastian speaks the truth. A betrayal such as this is
not easily forgotten, much less forgiven."

"Idle threats. My hands, unlike yours, are clean, and cleaner still now that I wash my
hands of all your doings." Templeton accompanied his self-righteous grin with symbolic
hand gestures as he spoke. "I look forward to the review of your records and the
resulting repercussions. Once again, thank you, Mr. Sinha."

“The Lord Imperial has decided that this does merit a thorough review. The Grey Clerks
will be going through the database to determine if wrong-doing has been committed.

In three days, an in-person meeting of the Lords Cardinal will be held at the London
club. Sir Gordon expects the Red and Blue Courts to provide an appropriate cover for
the delegations. Evidence as assessed by the Grey Clerks will be presented at that
time. Until then, the Black King of the New York Hellfire Club and the Blue Queen of
the London Hellfire Club are expected to refrain from any further court activities until
a ruling has been made. Any attempts to capitalize on the situation between now and
the meeting will be met with… displeasure by the Lord Imperial.” With that, Sinha
terminated the conference call, leaving them to their preparations and thoughts.